HELENA, Mont. – Montana is preparing for the 2020 Census, and the U.S. Census Bureau is beginning to hire for dozens of jobs by this summer and hundreds of jobs in 2020.

“I can’t overstate how important the 2020 Census is for Montana,” said Lt. Gov. Mike Cooney. “Census jobs will be available in almost every Montana community, helping to ensure we achieve an accurate count that will guide important decisions for the next decade, including Montana’s share of federal funding for more than 300 critical programs like Medicaid, highway construction, infrastructure, school lunches and Head Start.”

Lt. Gov. Cooney is chair of the Montana 2020 Census Complete Count Committee, a group of officials across the state focused on obtaining the most accurate count possible.

Applicants enter a pool for hiring and may be selected for more than one job. This summer, the jobs will focus on address canvassing, a process in which the U.S. Census Bureau updates address listings across the state. Late next year, the Census will begin gearing up for the actual count by hiring field operations employees. All Census jobs pay between $13.50 and $15 per hour. Most jobs will be part time with flexible hours and include mileage reimbursement for personal vehicles.

The Department of Commerce and the Department of Labor and Industry are spreading the word now because the hiring process may take up to three months, and a large pool of candidates is needed.

Lt. Gov. Cooney said the jobs will be a great option for part-time workers, college students, retired people, and people who require a flexible schedule.